Officials in Kerr County, Texas, said Friday afternoon that at least 13 people have died in "catastrophic" flooding and that about 20 children are missing from a girls camp in the area. Parts of the Guadalupe River, which runs from the county to San Antonio Bay, rose 26 feet in 45 minutes Friday morning, CNN reports. "The entire county is an extremely active scene," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post. "Residents are encouraged to shelter in place and not attempt travel. Those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground."
Sheriff Larry Leitha said he expects the death toll to rise. Judge Rob Kelly, the county's chief executive, reported that dozens of high-water rescues had been made, the San Antonio Express-News reports. At least 14 helicopters and 12 drones and more than 500 people were helping to rescue adults and children in trees near Camp Mystic in Hunt, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. At least some of the missing children could be waiting for help in trees, Patrick said. Parents posted photographs of young girls on social media, per the New York Times, asking for help finding them.
A flash flood warning was issued for the county as heavy rain began around 1am. The National Weather Service raised the severity of the warning multiple times before declaring a flash flood emergency around 4am, CNN reports. "This is the kind of thing that will catch you unaware," Bob Fogarty, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Austin/San Antonio office, said, per the AP. "The water's moving so fast, you're not going to recognize how bad it is until it's on top of you." Gov. Greg Abbott said the state is rushing resources to communities hit by flooding, including Kerrville, Ingram, and Hunt. "This came at night when people were asleep in bed," Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring said. He thanked first responders and urged people to "please, pray for our community."
This file has been updated with new information.
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